This book explores the life and career of Benjamin Butler, a Civil War general, politician, and lawyer who lived from 1818 to 1893. The author, a historian, draws on Butler's personal correspondence and speeches to present a nuanced portrait of a man who was both brilliant and controversial. The book examines Butler's role in the military, including his command of the Army of the James, and his controversial occupation of New Orleans. It also discusses his political career, including his service as a congressman and governor of Massachusetts, and his unsuccessful presidential campaign in 1884. The author argues that Butler was a complex and contradictory figure who was both a brilliant tactician and a ruthless politician. The book sheds light on the political and military landscape of the United States during the Civil War and Reconstruction periods, and offers a fresh perspective on one of the most enigmatic figures of the era.